Your Schedule

Annual Kidney Function
Until I reminded him, this is one test that my previous doctor forgot one year. All of us need an annual test for the presence of microalbuminuria, which checks our kidney function.

Annual Eye Exam
An ophthalmologist or optometrist needs to check your eyes for diabetic retinopathy once a year. In my experience the only problem is that for a few hours afterwards your eyes are so dilated that it’s hard to read. Instead, plan to listen to music or take a nap until the world is no longer too bright.

Regular Foot Exams
Your doctor needs to give you a comprehensive foot exam once a year. The doctor also has a responsibility to look at your feet every time you visit. In my experience you might need to remind your doctor to do this. But these recommendations aren’t enough for people with diabetes who have lost the ability to feel in any part of their feet. These people – those who have neuropathy – need to check their feet every day for even the slightest wound, and if they find one, immediately make an appointment with their doctor.

Sure, these are a lot of appointments to remember. In fact, you can’t remember them all, unless you have a photographic memory. You need to write them down on your schedule. If you take care of these facets of your life, you increase the odds in your favor that you will stay healthy longer.